One Passover, a rabbi conducted his first Seder with great spiritual inspiration. He carried out each of the Kabbalistic intentions and felt as if he were soaring through the heavens. He never remembered carrying out such an exhilarating Seder.

On the following night, he rabbi lay down to rest after the evening prayers to gather his strength. Suddenly, he was overcome by a deep sleep. Without realizing, he slept for several hours, waking only a half hour before midnight.

The rabbi was accustomed to finish the afikoman before midnight on the second night as well and, therefore, had to rush through the entire Seder. He had no time for mystic thoughts. With little more than the simple meanings of the words in mind, he read the Haggadah and ate the matzah, maror, and afikoman.

He felt crushed, How could he have conducted such a Seder, particular after yesterday’s heights?

After Pesach, the rabbi went to visit his master and teacher in a faraway city. When the rabbi greeted his teacher, his teacher replied:

“I watched your Seders, my student. The first night, shockingly low, soaring through the heavens, pheh…

“The second night, wonderful. The simple meaning of the Haggadah, the earnest desire to fulfill G-d’s command. How could anyone conduct a holier Seder!”

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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